Thursday, November 8, 2012

Facing the Future

"Courage is the measure of our heartfelt participation with life, with another, with a community, a work, a future. To be courageous, is not necessarily to go anywhere or do anything except to make conscious those things we already feel deeply and then to live through the unending vulnerabilities of those consequences. To be courageous is to seat our feelings deeply in the body and in the world: to live up to and into the necessities of relationships that often already exist, with things we find we already care deeply about: with a person, a future, a possibility in society, or with an unknown that begs us on and always has begged us on. Whether we stay or whether we go - to be courageous is to stay close to the way we are made."

Recently, I have been enjoying David
Whyte’s generous contributions on his Facebook page. After facing the first
snowstorm of the season yesterday, it was really helpful and reassuring to read
this entry. The weather experts
expended great energy scaring all of us on the East Coast as the storm headed
our way. Once again, I was looking at the trees in my yard near the barn and
the house, torn between loving their majestic shelter from the sun and my fear
that they will be blown down and crush us. I reminded myself that the wind was
no stronger than it had been for countless other times, and happily, here we
are intact today.

I especially like
the idea that I don’t have to go anywhere or do anything to be courageous. I
just have to stay true to what I know in my heart and “live through the
unending vulnerabilities of those consequences”. Since tomorrow is my birthday,
I’ve been thinking a lot about what the future holds for me. In many ways, I feel like I’m standing
at the opening of a new door, a bit hesitant to take the first step.

Certainly, as I
literally stood in my boots and winter parka ready to embark into drifts of
snow, sliding down the path towards the barn this morning, I was afraid to
venture out. I can’t fit my
protective arm brace under my coat, couldn’t find my “YakTraks” to add traction
to my feet, and begged my husband to come with me to feed the horses. Then, as
he slowly finished his cup of coffee and looked for his wool socks, I became
impatient and annoyed with myself for needing his reassuring presence. I
launched out on my own, hesitant and slow as I groped my way down the little
hill outside our backdoor. By the time I reached the barn and was greeted by
Silk and Siete’s sweet furry faces and noisy chorus of “Nnnh! NNNH!”, I had
regained my equilibrium.

It was a little
metaphor for how I felt about getting another year older. I think I just have
to keep reminding myself to “stay close to the way that I’m made”.

First I want to wish you a very happy birthday! Hopefully, when you get rid of the brace for your arm you will return to your old self. What a long process you have gone through.The temperature is supposed to be in the high 60s in a couple of days...at your house too?

Just one step at a time and one day at a time; it's all we can expect of ourselves. Sometimes I think it's easy for us to forget to be kind to ourselves too. We seem to have higher expectations of ourselves than of others'. I know that I do. I hope you have a wonderful birthday, and do something special to celebrate another milestone!! Happy Birthday Victoria!! :)

Teachings of the Horse Follow by Email

MY HORSES

HAPPY TRAILS! WELCOME TO MY BLOG!

Over eighteen years ago, during a midlife crisis, I gave myself a gift I'd wanted all my life. My Quarter Horse, Silk, is a former Western Pleasure & Trail show horse. She retired from the ring and became my greatest teacher. Fourteen years ago, we were blessed with her daughter, Siete (aka My Impulsive Hobby). Now, both horses live happily in our backyard.

I did so many dumb things and knew so little about caring for horses when I first bought Silk. Time and the horses have taught me some valuable lessons. I hope that I can share what I learn with other horse lovers and help people take the time to look at the world from the horse's point of view. Their message is full of honesty, trust and love.

Victoria & Siete

About Me

(formerly Victoria Hamburg)
Besides being a cowgirl, Victoria produces film and television programs. With director/artist Robert Longo and science fiction writer William Gibson, she created the movie "Johnny Mnemonic", starring Keanu Reeves. She also produced the first AIDS benefit in 1985, called "Comic Relief", with Mike Nichols, Lorne Michaels, Steve Martin and other far-sighted, caring celebrities. Her television career most recently includes being the Series Producer for "Interpol Investigates" for the National Geographic Channel. She's also worked for the Children's Television Network, HBO, Showtime and all three major networks. She lives happily with her husband, her daughter, a dog, and of course, two wonderful Quarter Horses.